Leicester selectmen weigh Prop. 2½ override

LEICESTER — Without a $1.5 million Proposition 2½ override, the Board of Selectmen said, there could be drastic changes in town that may include closing the library, moving a regional emergency dispatch center, less training for firefighters and the demotion of police sergeants.

Selectman Douglas A. Belanger said Monday said the override would allow the town to build up its revenue stream and "stop the bleeding." It would permanently raise the level at which the town taxes property owners.

According to a document crafted by Town Administrator Robert Reed, if the measure passes at both the ballot box Oct. 1 and town meeting Oct. 29, the police department would be able to hire two full-time officers and take the option of a regional dispatch center off the table.

The chief could also bring back the part-time contingent but without the override, selectmen said, officers would have to further evaluate how they prioritize calls, and could reduce response levels.

The document states the town's library badly needs a children's librarian. But if the override fails and the library budget must be reduced, the facility would likely lose its certification. That would cost the town more than $10,000 in state funding from the so-called cherry sheet. The recommendation from Mr. Reed was that rather than inadequately funding the library, the facility would close.

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